IVF and Steroids?

[Me1010]

Hello 👋🏼

I am about to start my second FET after my first ending in miscarriage. I have an autoimmune condition, very high white blood cells, and I can’t help thinking that it might be playing a part. I’m in pain a lot of the time and I just wonder if my immune response is too high and my body is working against me getting pregnant! I’ve spoken to the clinic who said they could put me on a low dose of steroids for this cycle. I have tried them before in the past just as a treatment for my pain; they made a negligible difference so I didn’t think it was worth staying on them. My gut is saying try the steroids, at 10mg they’re unlikely to have a negative effect. I would love to hear from anyone else with experience on this - positive or negative!!

Thank you 🙏🏻

[Ranchu90]

I would definitely suggest you to go ahead, it won't harm you. I tried steroids after 3 chemicals and our 4th round worked. I was also on low dose. Good luck 🤞♥️

[Lisa843]

I used Prednisolone during my 4th cycle. Started taking 20mg 5 days before transfer and stayed on them until my dating scan when i started to wean off them. I'm currently 13+4 and down to 5mg. I would definitely recommend them x

[Zais]

My Ivf clinic will throw everything in to help an embryo survive. I was given in my second try after my first ended in a chemical pregnancy. We had a live birth my daughter is now almost 2 years. I am on another fresh cycle and this time they gave me 10mg(prednisolone). I am 7 days post 5 day fresh transfer. i saw a positive line from day 4 using digital test. I had it at home and could not wait and decided to test. I have been testing everyday since then and the line is strong. Could be because it twins because i had more than one embryo transferrd abroad but we won’t know until test day. My official test day is 28 sept. I will say yes to anything that will help the embryo stay if it has no negative impact.

[Poppyhb]

Hi Me1010 sorry to hear about your miscarriage, I hope you are doing okay. If you have a known auto immune disease it may be worth doing some more tests to check if there are any other implications or maybe just having a chat with a specialist for immunes.I found out I had high NK cells so was given 20mg prednisone from day 5 through to test day. When the FET failed the clinic said they wouldn’t change anything so I spoke to another one. After several more tests I found out I have an overactive immune system, no antibodies to my husband, no KPR inhibitors (these basically control the NK cells so even if the prednisone reduced them there was nothing telling them not to attack the embryo) plus another couple of things. All of these things would either attack or prevent the embryo from implanting or cause an early miscarriage.

I had no idea until then about my immune issues. Putting embryos back in would have been a waste without the extra treatment I need.

This might not be the case for you and if you know what your immune issues are they might be able to diagnose ahead. If you have a lot of embryos and can try the steroids then go for it, the risks are small and it’s a cheaper option. If you want any info about the tests then please don’t hesitate to PM. Good luck. X

[Plus2 in reply to Poppyhb]

Could I ask you to message me the second clinic you went to please? I’m in the same boat and currently having my 4th miscarriage but my clinic don’t put me on a dose higher than 10mg, despite me being known to have an autoimmune disease.

[MamaWeez]

Hello! I have had one miscarriage and 2 chemical pregnancies so my doctor decided to give me 20mg prednisone 5 days before my 6th transfer. I am currently 10.4 weeks pregnant and still on the medication, taking around 10mg and weaning it off again in a few days to 5mg until I stop completely. The only down side is that I have gained more weight in my trimester than usual (around 5kgs) due to increased appetite and water retention.